Pope Leo XIV Receives St. Augustine Medal, Emphasizes Listening and Unity

Pope Leo XIV, the first pontiff of American origin, was honored with the prestigious St. Augustine Medal by the Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova. The award ceremony took place on August 28, 2025, acknowledging the Pope's profound connection to Augustinian values and the guiding principles of his papacy.

Due to his schedule, Pope Leo XIV accepted the honor through a video message. Addressing American Augustinians gathered in Philadelphia, he highlighted the Augustinian tenet of listening before speaking, drawing a parallel between this practice and the pursuit of peace and truth. He stated that his pontificate is guided by the Augustinian motto "veritas, unitas, caritas" – truth, unity, and love.

The St. Augustine Medal is an annual award presented to individuals who embody the teachings and spirit of St. Augustine and demonstrate a deep commitment to the Augustinian Order. Pope Leo XIV's association with the order is significant; he is a member of the Order of St. Augustine (OSA) and frequently references St. Augustine's teachings in his public addresses. His papal motto, "In Illo uno, unum" (In the One, we are one), is also derived from St. Augustine's homilies, underscoring a core Augustinian emphasis on unity.

Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Francis Prevost, has a strong Augustinian background, having earned his Bachelor of Science from Villanova University in 1977 and an honorary doctorate from the same institution in 2014. He served as Prior General of the Order before his election as Pope on May 8, 2025. The Augustinian Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, established in 1796, has a long history of service, with its first foundation being the Church of St. Augustine in Philadelphia in 1801.

This award not only recognizes Pope Leo XIV's personal journey but also reinforces the values he champions for the Church. The emphasis on listening, truth, unity, and love resonates with the contemporary need for dialogue and understanding in a complex world. The Augustinian tradition, rooted in the teachings of St. Augustine of Hippo, offers a relevant framework for spiritual growth and community engagement.